Clinton fundraiser features guests, surprises

GW students and supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton raised more than $200,000 for the New York Democrat’s presidential campaign during a fundraising event at Lisner Auditorium on Monday night that will appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Clinton surprised the audience in the middle of her speech with a coordinated live feed from DeGeneres’ television studio. The short dialogue between Clinton and the talk show personality was filmed for the talk show.

“Sen. Clinton, I have said I have a problem with glitter.will you put a ban on glitter?” DeGeneres said.

Clinton jokingly offered to ban glitter for everyone older than 12.

“That’s what I like about you,” DeGeneres said. “You have solutions.”

Besides banning glitter, Clinton spoke to the audience about her proposed reforms for America, which includes finding clean and renewable energy.

“Now, I know we’re not going to be able to do any of this until the two oil men leave the White House,” Clinton said.

She also emphasized improvements in technology, such as light rail transportation systems, increased Internet access and an end to what she said was President George W. Bush’s “war on science.”

“I will ask Congress to send me the bill that President Bush has vetoed twice that prevents us from doing stem cell research,” Clinton said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, a strong supporter of Clinton’s campaign, introduced Clinton as the next president of the United States.

“All of you have sent a message that the young people of America don’t belong to any one candidate,” Rendell said.

Clinton mentioned Democratic opponent Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) only once, stating that their differing healthcare plans are a “defining issue” of their individual campaigns. She said her plan would provide universal healthcare for 47 million uninsured Americans, while Obama’s plan does not cover everyone.

“I believe with all my heart that healthcare is a universal right.I have had it with insurance companies deciding who will live or die,” Clinton said.

An affordable college education and an end to the war in Iraq were also discussed at the event. Earlier in the day, Clinton gave a speech on foreign policy at the Jack Morton Auditorium.

“Some people, when they take office, think only about the next election,” Clinton said. “I’m thinking about the next generation.”

Not all of the students in attendance at the event were Clinton supporters. Clusters of McCain and Obama fans stood in the lines of people waiting to be cleared by Secret Service before entering.

“She could potentially be the president of America,” said GW freshman Tabisa Walwema, a McCain supporter. “I’d like to say I saw her before she was president.”

Sophomore Peter Weiss, who has already voted for Obama in the primaries, said his mother bought his tickets.

“It doesn’t look so good (for Clinton),” Weiss said. “The more time Obama has, the better he does.”

Still, there was no shortage of Clinton fans at the event. Clinton’s campaign contacted the GW Students for Hillary and arranged for about 60 of GW’s Clinton supporters to sit on stage with her during the speech. Cheers from the audience frequently drowned out the end of Clinton’s sentences and a woman even sold Clinton playing cars outside of the venue.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: March 2, 2008

The article incorrectly stated that Clinton’s campaign contacted GW College Democrats to arrange for the supporters sitting on stage during the speech. The campaign contacted GW Students for Hillary.